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Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season is officially underway. Ahead of Sunday’s slate of games, there's still ample time to go back and forth on lineup decisions for fantasy football teams.
Before the weekend's games kick off, WRs Jameson Williams and Emeka Egbuka are two players in positive passing environments who are expected to be ranked similarly to begin the season. Which wideout should you prioritize this week?
Below, we’ll discuss whether you should start Williams or Egbuka in fantasy football (factoring in PPR scoring) and highlight their Week 1 PrizePicks projections.
All stats used in this article are from PFF or SumerSports unless stated otherwise. Fantasy rankings and fantasy point totals are courtesy of FantasyPros.
Make NFL predictions for the 2026 season on PrizePicks!
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em WRs, Week 1: Jameson Williams or Emeka Egbuka?
Let’s dive into our Week 1 fantasy football start ‘em, sit ‘em decision between Williams and Egbuka.
Why Start Jameson Williams?
Jameson Williams Week 1 PrizePicks Projections: 58.5 Rec Yards, 4 Recs, 6 Rec Targets, 11.5 Fantasy Score
- Although WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is the primary target-earner on the Detroit Lions, Williams was the WR21 in fantasy points per game (12.9) in 2025.
- Among 76 WRs with 50+ targets last season, Williams posted the third-most yards per reception (17.2) and fifth-most yards after the catch per reception (6.9).
- Williams was also tied for the 11th-most receiving TDs (7) and 24th-most yards per route run (1.86) in the same sample.
- Plus, Williams led the Lions in route rate (96.0%), so he’s on the field plenty.
- With QB Jared Goff operating the offense, Detroit had the seventh-highest average dropback EPA (0.17) and ninth-highest dropback success rate (48.5%) last season, per RBSDM.
- When comparing the passing yards projections on PrizePicks between Goff and QB Baker Mayfield in Week 1, Goff’s projection is at 261.5 while Mayfield’s sits at 229.5.
Pick Jameson Williams and Lions to win for higher payouts on PrizePicks!
Why Start Emeka Egbuka?
Emeka Egbuka Week 1 PrizePicks Projections: 55.5 Rec yards, 4 Recs, 7 Rec Targets, 11.5 Fantasy Score
- Egbuka got off to a blazing start as a rookie in 2025, producing as the WR3 in fantasy PPG (20.5) from Week 1 to Week 5.
- Sadly, a hamstring injury suffered in Week 6 put a damper on his production for the rest of the season.
- Along with WR Mike Evans no longer being on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Egbuka already led the team in target share (23.5%) last year, even with his injury woes down the stretch.
- When looking at the 76 WRs with 50+ targets a season ago, Egbuka still managed to earn the ninth-most yards per reception (14.9) and 12th-most yards after the catch per reception (5.2).
- The Buccaneers are 3.5-point underdogs on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, potentially juicing their passing volume if they fall behind.
- During the 2025 campaign, Egbuka led Tampa Bay’s pass catchers in target share (22.9%), receptions (36), receiving TDs (5), and yards per route run (1.81) when the team was trailing.
Pick Emeka Egbuka and Buccaneers to win for higher payouts on PrizePicks!
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Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Jameson Williams
There’s a chance that both Williams and Egbuka are near-locks to be in fantasy football lineups for Week 1. However, if deciding between the two, the Lions’ big-play wideout gets the nod over the Bucs’ second-year man.
The Lions are 6.5-point home favorites against the Saints in a dome in their season opener. Williams logged 69.5 receiving yards per game in dome outings in 2025 compared to 60.3 YPG in outdoor games, per Pro Football Reference.
While I’m also a fan of Egbuka, he does enter 2026 having dealt with a toe injury in the preseason and training camp. He's since returned to practice and is seemingly cleared to play in Week 1, but such injuries for WRs are never ideal.
On top of that, the Bengals were a run-funnel defense last season, allowing the most fantasy PPG to RBs (27.0) and the fifth-fewest fantasy PPG to WRs (21.7).
Make 2026 NFL Predictions on PrizePicks
Entering the 2026 NFL season, Jameson Williams and Emeka Egbuka are both enticing options in fantasy football. When deciphering which one to target more in fantasy football in Week 1, Williams may carry a bit more upside in a favorable matchup at home against the Saints.
Don’t wait until Week 1 kicks off — make your 2026 NFL picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
Just pick NFL players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on NFL game winners, spreads, over/unders, and award futures, now available in 36 states.
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